Perfect Running Cities for Fitness Enthusiasts

For those who love running and working out, looking for a city that is great for a holiday and for running can be tough. However, here are a few of the Ideals that will tick every box you have for the perfect running city.

Copenhagen

Starting off with the city that is regarded as the very Ideal for running, Copenhagen has incredible air quality, low CO2 emissions due to the lower amount of traffic, an is rated highly on the walkability scale.

It also has low average temperatures, meaning it has the perfect running weather if you avoid the middle of Summer and the middle of Winter. Pack your men’s running shoes, Copenhagen is waiting for you.

Barcelona

Heading to Spain, Barcelona, and Madrid are both ideal for running, but the former wins, but only by a little bit. Ideal for urban runs, it has exceptional air quality, and like other European cities, its walkability makes it great for running.

While it is short on green spaces, it makes up for this by having relatively low traffic and car accidents, especially if you want to wind yourself around the old parts of the city that are packed with narrow roads, alleys, and walkways.

Berlin

Berlin sets itself apart by being one of the flattest cities in the world, which automatically means it is ideal for running. Add in the low CO2 emissions and clean air, and you will never regret hitting the road here.

It also has a relatively low average temperature, and as long as you avoid the depths of Winter, there really isn’t a bad time to take a run here.

Stockholm

Similar to Copenhagen, Stockholm has exceptionally clean air, low CO2 emissions, is very walkable, and is perfect for running. The low temperatures and high humidity do mean you need waterproof gear, but the weather is still spectacular for a morning run.

Additionally, the islands are connected by bridges, giving you plenty of opportunities to explore and see something new every single day.

Rome

While there is plenty of traffic in Rome, it is also home to countless roads and walkways with no cars. This ancient city is easily one of the Ideal for runners who are looking to add a bit of sightseeing and a few history lessons to their workout.

The average temperature is warmer than other cities on this list, and the Summer can get quite warm, but it is still an amazing city to push yourself and explore.

Vienna

Widely regarded as the ideal running city in the world, Vienna has a perfect walkability score, tons of green space, incredibly low CO2 emissions, and has such good air quality that you will forget you are in a major city.

Once again, a lot of the historic streets aren’t good for cars, meaning they are Ideal for walkers and runners.

Amsterdam

Considering Amsterdam is famed for the fact that you can cycle and walk almost everywhere, it is no surprise that it is ideal for running. While it is definitely not the quietest city, it is still a great spot to take a run.

Much like Rome, there is so much to see and do that a run doesn’t just have to be a run; you can stop at a cafe, take in the sights, or take a bicycle home if you explore a bit too far.

Sydney

Australia is already well-known for being perfect for running, thanks to the incredible weather, vast green spaces, and plenty of offroad spots to explore. Sydney, in particular, stands out from the rest.

It is far more walkable than many may think, and the low humidity combined with the great weather means it is great for running almost all year round. Plus, there are very few things better than a morning or sunset run on Bondi Beach.

San Francisco

The US is not known for having walkable cities, and the countless cars mean the air quality isn’t always the Ideal. However, there is one exception. San Francisco stands out from the crowd.

It has great air quality, a very low pedestrian fatality rate, plenty of green spaces, and several roads that will challenge even the fittest runner. Lombard Street, in particular, is a challenge every runner should try to attempt when visiting the city.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Tenerife has to be on this list, thanks to the fact that 82% of the landmass here is green space, and it has a fairly high average temperature of 22C. The arid, desert-like terrain can be troublesome for some, but that doesn’t mean it is bad for running.

It doesn’t have the Ideal water quality, so you will need to prepare accordingly, but once you hit the road, the natural and breathtaking beauty of the Canary Islands will distract you incredibly quickly.

In conclusion, these are only a few of the cities that are ideal for running, but they are easily some of the Ideal. Whether you want a light jog, or a serious workout, these cities are exactly what you need for an unforgettable run.